Susan Christine Reilly

Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and respected businesswoman, Susan Christine Reilly, 67, of Silvercreek Township, Ohio, went to be with the Lord suddenly on Tuesday, February 27^th.   Susan will always be remembered for her unwavering strength, kindness, unconditional love for her family and her faith in Jesus Christ.  Susan believed all that is good comes from God.

Susan was born to Donald and Margret Huffman in Illinois and has an older brother, Jeffery Huffman and younger sister, Donna Scott.  Her favorite childhood memories were the summers she spent with her grandparents, Asa and Mary Huffman.  Her grandfather taught her how to make the perfect eggs.  Her grandmother taught her how to make rhubarb pie and the secret to a perfect crust – a skill we have all enjoyed over the years.  Her beloved seal point Siamese cat, Timmy, fostered her lifelong love for cats.

Susan taught herself how to play guitar and enjoyed a successful run playing at bars, clubs and was invited to open for Conway Twitty in Chicago. Susan was also an artist, winning first place at the Phidian Art show at 16, drawing and painting many pieces as gifts over the years.

Susan attended Kirkwood College in Iowa, earning a degree in Engineering. As fate would have it, Steve Reilly was assigned as her helper in machine shop class, untightening the vices when required.  Susan was the most beautiful, intelligent woman Steve had ever met.  When he asked Susan out, she drew him a map to her home and told him not to be late as he would not get a second chance.  Steve was never late.  Steve and Susan were together ever thereafter, in love and loving each other.

Susan and Steve had three children:  Troy, Stephanie, and Corinne.  Troy looked forward to the daily conversations about current events as Susan always had a unique, very well informed perspective.  Stephanie appreciated all of the support from Susan that enabled her to have a very successful professional career while knowing her children were safe and well looked after in her mother’s hands.  Corinne has fond memories of traveling with her mother to different areas of the U.S. Also, Susan would sense when she was upset and would call or text to comfort her.

Susan had six grandchildren, all of whom she loved very much.  Susan wrote a song for each grandchild.  When they were babies, every time she saw them she would sing them their song.  Susan was affectionately named “Grandmom” by Gavin. Gavin loved listening to Grandmom’s stories, baking with her and, of course, eating what they baked.  Rory loved playing video slots and winning jackpots with Grandmom.  Grandmom taught Aoife how to draw and encouraged Aoife’s love of art.  Kevin, Jr. loved taking trips to Illinois with Grandmom and seeing the Lincoln Tomb.  He also treasures the memory of baking and watching movies with her.  Gabriel greatly enjoyed learning to play black jack with his Grandmom.  He loved the special birthday cakes she made him and the Christmas snow cookies that Grandmom taught him to bake.  Alana cherishes the time she spent with Grandmom making candies and crafts at Christmas time.

Susan also loved animals.   Four years ago, Steve found four orphaned kittens, a gift from God.  Susan nursed the kittens back to health despite all odds against them.  The kittens joined the Reilly Pride and are perhaps more spoiled than the grandchildren. Susan also enjoyed bird watching. Steve placed bird houses in strategic locations so she could see them while keeping the birds protected.

Before her medical retirement, Susan was the Director of Business Development and Research Group Leader at the University of Dayton Research Institute.  She was extremely successful winning research contracts and built a top research team.  Susan’s proudest professional moment was the invitation to the Pentagon to outline her recommendations for new airport security measures post 9/11.  The framework, developed by Susan and her team, under her leadership, was ultimately used by the 9/11 Commission and can be seen in action today.

Susan is survived by her husband, the love of her life, Steven Reilly, her three children Troy Reilly, Stephanie Campbell, and Corinne (Kevin) O’Brien and her six gorgeous grandchildren Gavin, Alana, Kevin Jr, Rory, Gabriel, and Aoife, her brother, Jeffery (Susan) Huffman, her sister, Donna Scott, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.